What
is shingles?
Shingles is a painful condition, often associated with a blistering rash typically
occurring on one side of the body or face. The associated pain can be excruciating
and potentially debilitating. The shingles rash can last several weeks and
shingles can result in serious complications such as skin infection, scarring,
and long-term nerve pain.
Am
I at risk?
Approximately 95% of Canadians have had chickenpox and are therefore at risk
for shingles. This risk increases as we get older, especially over 50 years
of age.
What
are the complications of shingles?
Shingles can lead to potentially debilitating health complications. The pain
associated with the shingles rash has been described as burning, throbbing,
stabbing or shooting pain. For most patients, this pain lessens as the rash
heals. For some, however, shingles can cause severe pain for months or even
years after the rash has healed. This long-term pain is called postherpetic
neuralgia (PHN) and it can interfere with normal day-to-day activities such
as walking, sleeping, and social activities. For many people with PHN, even
a breeze or the touch of clothing brushing against the skin can cause severe
pain.
Some people have recurring
shingles through out their lives.
Other potentially serious
complications from shingles include bacterial skin
infections, scarring, a decrease or loss of hearing
or vision, or muscle paralysis. Some people may need
to be hospitalized and in rare cases shingles can
even result in death.
What
causes shingles?
Shingles, also known as zoster, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Once you've had chickenpox, the virus remains in your body but may stay inactive
for years. If it becomes active again, it can cause shingles. It is known that
the risk increases as we get older; however, there is no way to tell when the
shingles virus will become active again.
How
can I help protect myself?
Get
the shingles vaccine ... Zostavax.
It
is now available in Sherwood Park Edmonton at
Synergy
Medical Plus
No referral is necessary just call
(780) 416-8747
or
email us at Teresa
Chaundy for
an appointment.
The cost is $195.00 and may be covered by your third party insurer.
Zostavax
- the New Shingles Vaccine is offered at Synergy
Medical Plus, Sherwood Park, Edmonton!
Click
here to find out more about the vaccine!
ZOSTAVAX |
